Marty Busch Reserve’s transformation underway

Significant progress continues to be made towards the grand makeover of Marty Busch Reserve.

The primary sporting hub for the Sebastopol community now has a new scoreboard on its number two oval, while further advancements are being made towards other much-needed projects that form part of the Marty Busch Reserve Master Plan.

City of Ballarat Mayor, Cr Tracey Hargreaves joined Member for Wendouree Juliana Addison for a tour of the facility on Thursday, while also celebrating the completion of the new scoreboard.

The new electronic scoreboard replaces the former manually controlled scoreboard, allowing for Sebastopol Football Netball Club and Napoloeons-Sebastopol Cricket Club to benefit from the new equipment.

The oval resurfacing was completed in 2024 and was the first step towards delivering the Marty Busch Reserve Master Plan that was adopted by Ballarat City Council in April 2023.

The State Government has committed $8.4 million towards the Marty Busch Reserve Master Plan, while the City of Ballarat has currently committed $1.026 million.

Now, the number two oval has been resurfaced, new lighting installed and a new electronic scoreboard complete, attention is turning to the construction of a new changerooms facility.

Dock4 Architects has been appointed to design the new changerooms, which will replace the current outdated facility.

The new facility will provide two separate change rooms including toilets and showers in line with AFL Victoria guidelines, separate rooms for umpires and timekeepers, a kiosk and kitchen, a social space, an office, an undercover viewing area and a car park.

Construction is expected to begin at the conclusion of the 2025 Ballarat Football Netball League season.

Meanwhile, a tender has also been awarded for new cricket nets and the resurfacing of the existing number two netball court, both of which are being constructed by RMS Groundworks.

The new cricket nets will feature two bays that are accessible to the community, with three bays dedicated to the Napoleons-Sebastopol Cricket Club.

They will replace the existing nets and are expected to be complete in mid-2025.

The netball court upgrade will include a complete resurfacing, upgraded lighting and car park and the demolition of an old kiosk and some fencing. It is expected to be complete in April.

City of Ballarat Mayor, Cr Tracey Hargreaves said the overhaul of Marty Busch Reserve was a vital project for the Sebastopol community.

“To see such significant progress being made is extremely promising and I look forward to the transformation continuing with a number of upcoming works,” she said.

“There are so many people and user groups that will benefit from this project, which is a great collaboration between the City of Ballarat and the State Government.”

Member for Wendouree Juliana Addison said it was exciting to see projects from the master plan come to life.

“Sebastopol is one of Ballarat’s fastest growing suburbs, more than ever quality sport and recreation facilities at Marty Busch Reserve are essential to the health and wellbeing of all,” she said.

“Reserve upgrades like the new scoreboard will provide the modern facilities local clubs and residents need and can be proud of.”

The future priorities as part of the Master Plan include a new criterium cycling track and the relocation of the CFA fire and marshall track.